Pre-assembled coupling assembly with flexible hose adapter

ABSTRACT

A flexible hose adapter configured for engagement with a coupling can comprise an end piece, the end piece defining an inner end and an outer end, the end piece defining an axis, the end piece defining a sealing surface and a raised lip, the raised lip defined between the inner end and the sealing surface; a flexible hose attached to the outer end of the end piece; and a socket end piece attached to the flexible hose opposite from the end piece.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No.62/538,480, filed on Jul. 28, 2017, which is hereby incorporated byreference in its entirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This disclosure relates to couplings and pipe fittings. Morespecifically, this disclosure relates to couplings which are retained onpipe fittings to form a pre-assembled coupling assembly.

BACKGROUND

Pipe couplings are commonly used to connect two pipe elements, such aspipe lengths and pipe fittings, to assemble a piping system. Pipefittings can include elbows, tees, caps, valves, reducers, and othertypes of pipe fittings. Slip-on pipe couplings are one type of pipecoupling which can be slipped over the ends of two adjacent pipeelements in a relaxed position and then tightened to a tensionedposition to connect the two pipe elements together. It can be difficultfor a single worker to align both pipe elements and secure the ends ofthe pipe elements within the coupling while tightening the coupling.Often multiple workers cooperate to couple the pipe elements together,which can reduce efficiency and increase the man hours required toassemble the piping system.

SUMMARY

It is to be understood that this summary is not an extensive overview ofthe disclosure. This summary is exemplary and not restrictive, and it isintended to neither identify key or critical elements of the disclosurenor delineate the scope thereof. The sole purpose of this summary is toexplain and exemplify certain concepts of the disclosure as anintroduction to the following complete and extensive detaileddescription.

Disclosed is a flexible hose adapter configured for engagement with acoupling, the flexible hose adapter comprising an end piece, the endpiece defining an inner end and an outer end, the end piece defining anaxis, the end piece defining a sealing surface and a raised lip, theraised lip defined between the inner end and the sealing surface; aflexible hose attached to the outer end of the end piece; and a socketend piece attached to the flexible hose opposite from the end piece.

Also disclosed is a pre-assembled coupling assembly comprising acoupling, the coupling defining a coupling bore extending through thecoupling, the coupling comprising a gasket disposed within the couplingbore, the gasket being relaxed and uncompressed when the coupling is ina relaxed position; and a flexible hose adapter comprising an end piecedefining an inner end and an outer end, the inner end inserted into thecoupling bore, the coupling retained on the inner end of the end piecewhen the coupling is in the relaxed position; a flexible hose attachedto the outer end; and a socket end piece attached to the flexible hoseopposite from the end piece.

Also disclosed is a method for using a pre-assembled coupling assembly,the method comprising providing a flexible hose adapter, the flexiblehose adapter comprising an end piece, the end piece defining an innerend and an outer end, the end piece defining an axis; axially insertingthe inner end of the end piece into a gasket, a portion of the end piecewithin the gasket positioned radially outward from a portion of thegasket; and assembling a housing around the gasket, the housing and thegasket comprising a coupling, the coupling retained on the inner end ofthe end piece when the coupling is in a relaxed position.

Various implementations described in the present disclosure may includeadditional systems, methods, features, and advantages, which may notnecessarily be expressly disclosed herein but will be apparent to one ofordinary skill in the art upon examination of the following detaileddescription and accompanying drawings. It is intended that all suchsystems, methods, features, and advantages be included within thepresent disclosure and protected by the accompanying claims. Thefeatures and advantages of such implementations may be realized andobtained by means of the systems, methods, features particularly pointedout in the appended claims. These and other features will become morefully apparent from the following description and appended claims, ormay be learned by the practice of such exemplary implementations as setforth hereinafter.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The features and components of the following figures are illustrated toemphasize the general principles of the present disclosure. The drawingsare not necessarily drawn to scale. Corresponding features andcomponents throughout the figures may be designated by matchingreference characters for the sake of consistency and clarity.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a pre-assembled coupling assemblycomprising a coupling and a flexible hose adapter in accordance with oneaspect of the present disclosure.

FIG. 2 is a front view of the pre-assembled coupling assembly of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional side view of the pre-assembled couplingassembly of FIG. 1 taken along line 3-3 shown in FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the flexible hose adapter of FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 is an end view of an inner end of a raised-lip end piece of theflexible hose adapter of FIG. 1 showing pressure relief channels of theraised-lip end piece.

FIG. 6 is a side view of the flexible hose adapter of FIG. 1.

FIG. 7 is a detailed side view of the raised-lip end piece of theflexible hose adapter of FIG. 1.

FIG. 8 is cross-sectional side view of the pre-assembled couplingassembly of FIG. 1 and a pipe in accordance with one aspect of thepresent disclosure.

FIG. 9A is a detailed cross-sectional view of the raised-lip end pieceof the flexible hose adapter and the coupling of FIG. 1 with the pipe ofFIG. 8 with the coupling in a tensioned position.

FIG. 9B is a detailed cross-sectional view of the raised-lip end pieceof the flexible hose adapter and the coupling of FIG. 1 with the pipe ofFIG. 8 with the coupling in a relaxed position.

FIG. 10 is a detailed cross-sectional view of a pressure relief channelof FIG. 5 taken along line 10-10 shown in FIG. 5.

FIG. 11 is a detailed cross-sectional view of another aspect of thepressure relief channel in accordance with another aspect of the presentdisclosure.

FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional side view of the pipe of FIG. 8 and anotheraspect of an end piece of the flexible hose adapter with another aspectof the coupling, each in accordance with another aspect of the presentdisclosure.

FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional side view of the pipe of FIG. 8 and anotheraspect of an end piece of the flexible hose adapter with another aspectof the coupling, each in accordance with another aspect of the presentdisclosure.

FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional side view of another aspect of thepre-assembled coupling assembly in accordance with another aspect of thepresent disclosure wherein the coupling comprises a C-style gasket.

FIG. 15 is a cross-sectional side view of another aspect of thepre-assembled coupling assembly in accordance with another aspect of thepresent disclosure wherein the flexible hose adapter comprises a groovedend piece.

FIG. 16A is a perspective view of another aspect of the flexible hoseadapter wherein the raised-lip end piece is a stop lip end piece inaccordance with another aspect of the present disclosure.

FIG. 16B is a side view of the stop lip end piece of FIG. 16A.

FIG. 16C is a cross-sectional detail view of the stop lip end piecetaken along line 16C-16C shown in FIG. 16A.

FIG. 17A is an end view of an aspect of the pre-assembled couplingassembly comprising the flexible hose adapter of FIG. 16A.

FIG. 17B is a cross-sectional side view of the pre-assembled coupling ofFIG. 17A taken along line 17B-17B shown in FIG. 17A with the pipe ofFIG. 5.

FIG. 18 is a side view of another aspect of the stop lip end piecewherein the raised lip is a continuous stop lip.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present disclosure can be understood more readily by reference tothe following detailed description, examples, drawings, and claims, andthe previous and following description. However, before the presentdevices, systems, and/or methods are disclosed and described, it is tobe understood that this disclosure is not limited to the specificdevices, systems, and/or methods disclosed unless otherwise specified,and, as such, can, of course, vary. It is also to be understood that theterminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particularaspects only and is not intended to be limiting.

The following description is provided as an enabling teaching of thepresent devices, systems, and/or methods in its best, currently knownaspect. To this end, those skilled in the relevant art will recognizeand appreciate that many changes can be made to the various aspects ofthe present devices, systems, and/or methods described herein, whilestill obtaining the beneficial results of the present disclosure. Itwill also be apparent that some of the desired benefits of the presentdisclosure can be obtained by selecting some of the features of thepresent disclosure without utilizing other features. Accordingly, thosewho work in the art will recognize that many modifications andadaptations to the present disclosure are possible and can even bedesirable in certain circumstances and are a part of the presentdisclosure. Thus, the following description is provided as illustrativeof the principles of the present disclosure and not in limitationthereof.

As used throughout, the singular forms “a,” “an” and “the” includeplural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Thus,for example, reference to “an element” can include two or more suchelements unless the context indicates otherwise.

Ranges can be expressed herein as from “about” one particular value,and/or to “about” another particular value. When such a range isexpressed, another aspect includes from the one particular value and/orto the other particular value. Similarly, when values are expressed asapproximations, by use of the antecedent “about,” it will be understoodthat the particular value forms another aspect. It will be furtherunderstood that the endpoints of each of the ranges are significant bothin relation to the other endpoint, and independently of the otherendpoint.

For purposes of the current disclosure, a material property or dimensionmeasuring about X or substantially X on a particular measurement scalemeasures within a range between X plus an industry-standard uppertolerance for the specified measurement and X minus an industry-standardlower tolerance for the specified measurement. Because tolerances canvary between different materials, processes and between differentmodels, the tolerance for a particular measurement of a particularcomponent can fall within a range of tolerances.

As used herein, the terms “optional” or “optionally” mean that thesubsequently described event or circumstance can or cannot occur, andthat the description includes instances where said event or circumstanceoccurs and instances where it does not.

The word “or” as used herein means any one member of a particular listand also includes any combination of members of that list. Further, oneshould note that conditional language, such as, among others, “can,”“could,” “might,” or “may,” unless specifically stated otherwise, orotherwise understood within the context as used, is generally intendedto convey that certain aspects include, while other aspects do notinclude, certain features, elements and/or steps. Thus, such conditionallanguage is not generally intended to imply that features, elementsand/or steps are in any way required for one or more particular aspectsor that one or more particular aspects necessarily include logic fordeciding, with or without user input or prompting, whether thesefeatures, elements and/or steps are included or are to be performed inany particular aspect.

Disclosed are components that can be used to perform the disclosedmethods and systems. These and other components are disclosed herein,and it is understood that when combinations, subsets, interactions,groups, etc. of these components are disclosed that while specificreference of each various individual and collective combinations andpermutation of these may not be explicitly disclosed, each isspecifically contemplated and described herein, for all methods andsystems. This applies to all aspects of this application including, butnot limited to, steps in disclosed methods. Thus, if there are a varietyof additional steps that can be performed it is understood that each ofthese additional steps can be performed with any specific aspect orcombination of aspects of the disclosed methods.

Disclosed is a pre-assembled coupling assembly and associated methods,systems, devices, and various apparatus. The pre-assembled couplingassembly can comprise a flexible hose adapter and a coupling retained onan end of an end piece of the flexible hose adapter. It would beunderstood by one of skill in the art that the disclosed pre-assembledcoupling is described in but a few exemplary aspects among many. Noparticular terminology or description should be considered limiting onthe disclosure or the scope of any claims issuing therefrom.

FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of a pre-assembled coupling assembly100. The pre-assembled coupling assembly 100 can comprise a pipe fitting110, such as a flexible hose adapter 2012, and a coupling 170. In someaspects, the coupling 170 can be a slip-on coupling, such as the slip-oncoupling described in U.S. Pat. No. 9,194,516, issued on Nov. 24, 2015,which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

In the present aspect, the coupling 170 can comprise a housing 171 and agasket 140 which can be enclosed and encircled by the housing 171. Thehousing 171 can comprise a first segment 172 a and a second segment 172b. The first segment 172 a can define a pair of fastener ears 174 adisposed at opposite ends of the first segment 172 a. The second segment172 b can define a pair of fastener ears 174 b disposed at opposite endsof the second segment 172 b. A pair of fasteners 176 a,b, which cancomprise nuts and bolts in some aspects, can extend through the fastenerears 174 a of the first segment 172 a and the fastener ears 174 b of thesecond segment 172 b to secure the first segment 172 a to the secondsegment 172 b.

In the present aspect, the housing 171 can be substantially circular inshape, and each of the segments 172 a,b can define a semicircular arcshape. The housing 171 can define a coupling bore 182 extending throughthe housing 171 from a first end 178 a to a second end 178 b of thehousing 171. The gasket 140 can be disposed within the coupling bore182. The coupling bore 182 can define an axis 101. The first segment 172a can define a pair of shoulders 180 a disposed at opposite ends of thefirst segment 172 a and proximate to the respective fastener ears 174 a.The second segment 172 b can define a pair of shoulders 180 b disposedat opposite ends of the second segment 172 b and proximate to therespective fastener ears 174 b.

In the present aspect, the coupling 170 can be in a relaxed position. Inthe relaxed position of the coupling 170, the shoulders 180 a can bespaced apart from the shoulders 180 b, and the gasket 140 can be relaxedand uncompressed by the housing 171. The fasteners 176 a,b can betightened to reconfigure the coupling 170 from the relaxed position to atensioned position. In the tensioned position of the coupling 170, theshoulders 180 a of the first segment 172 a can be pressed against theshoulders 180 b of the second segment 172 b, and the gasket 140 can becompressed radially inward relative to the axis 101. In some aspects,each segment 172 a,b can be deformed by the fasteners 176 a,b, to alignand engage the shoulders 180 a of the first segment 172 a with theshoulders 180 b of the second segment 172 b.

A raised-lip end piece 2002 of the flexible hose adapter 2012 can extendinto the coupling bore 182 at the first end 178 a of the housing 171. Inthe present aspect, the pre-assembled coupling assembly 100 can beconfigured to fit over an end 502 (end 502 shown in FIG. 8) of a pipe500 (pipe 500 shown in FIG. 8) or other pipe element. The coupling 170can then be tightened to the tensioned position to secure thepre-assembled coupling assembly 100 on the pipe 500, thereby sealing thepipe 500 to the flexible hose adapter 2012. In other aspects, the pipe500 can be another type of pipe element such as a tee, an elbow, areducer, a valve, or any other suitable type of pipe fitting.

As shown and further described with respect to FIGS. 8, 9A, and 9B, theraised-lip end piece 2002 can interfere with the gasket 140 so that thecoupling 170 can be retained on the raised-lip end piece 2002 when thecoupling 170 is in the relaxed position. It can be desirable for thecoupling 170 to be retained on the raised-lip end piece 2002 so that thepre-assembled coupling assembly 100 can be easily attached to the pipe500. For example, a user can hold the pipe 500 with one hand, and thepre-assembled coupling assembly 100 can be slipped over the end 502 ofthe pipe 500 with a second hand of the user. Additionally, because thecoupling 170 can be retained on the raised-lip end piece 2002, the useris less likely to lose or mix up parts, such as in a field environment,because the pre-assembled coupling assembly 100 may not come apartwithout a deliberate effort by the user.

FIG. 2 is a front view of the pre-assembled coupling assembly 100 ofFIG. 1. The scale and angles shown in FIGS. 1-15 are merely exemplaryand should not be viewed as limiting. The structures and componentsshown can be scaled upwards or downwards, reshaped, or resized in otheraspects.

FIG. 3 is a cross-section of the pre-assembled coupling assembly 100 ofFIG. 1 taken along line 3-3 shown in FIG. 2. FIG. 4 is a perspectiveview of the flexible hose adapter 2012 of the pre-assembled couplingassembly 100 of FIG. 1. FIG. 5 is an end view facing an inner end 516 bof the raised-lip end piece 2002 of the flexible hose adapter 2012 ofFIG. 1.

FIG. 6 is a side view of the flexible hose adapter 2012 of thepre-assembled coupling assembly 100 of FIG. 1. The flexible hose adapter2012 can comprise the raised-lip end piece 2002 and a socket end piece2006 joined together by a flexible hose 2004. In the present aspect, theflexible hose 2004 can be a braided hose. The socket end piece 2006 candefine a socket 2008 which can be a threaded socket in the presentaspect. In other aspects, the socket 2008 can be a tapered socket, ascommonly used with polyvinyl chloride (PVC) piping for example andwithout limitation, or a weld socket, as commonly used with socket-weldpipe connections. The raised-lip end piece 2002 can define a raised lip518 which can retain the coupling 170 (shown in FIG. 1) on theraised-lip end piece 2002. In the present aspect, the raised-lip endpiece 2002 can also define a secondary key 1818 which can preventover-insertion of the raised-lip end piece 2002 into the coupling 170.

FIG. 7 is a detailed side view of the raised-lip end piece 2002 of theflexible hose adapter 2012 taken from Detail 7 as shown in FIG. 6. Theraised lip 518 can define at least one pressure relief channel 520defined at the inner end 516 b of the raised-lip end piece 2002. In thepresent aspect, the raised-lip end piece 2002 can define four pressurerelief channels 520, which can be equally circumferentially spacedaround the raised lip 518. In other aspect, the raised-lip end piece2002 can define greater or fewer than four pressure relief channels 520,and the pressure relief channels 520 can be distributed in any suitableconfiguration around the raised lip 518. Each of the pressure reliefchannels 520 can extend through the raised lip 518 as shown and furtherdescribed with respect to FIGS. 10 and 11 below. FIG. 7 alsodemonstrates exemplary angles for one aspect of the raised-lip end piece2002; however, these angles should not be viewed as limiting and canvary in different aspects.

FIG. 8 is a cross-section of the pre-assembled coupling assembly 100 ofFIG. 1 and the pipe 500. The housing 171 can define a first ridge 578 adisposed at the first end 178 a of the housing 171 and a second ridge578 b disposed at the second end 178 b of the housing 171. The ridges578 a,b can extend radially inward relative to the axis 101. The housing171 can define a gasket groove 570 within the coupling bore 182 whichcan be disposed between the ridges 578 a,b, and the gasket 140 can beseated within the gasket groove 570.

The gasket 140 can define a sealing ridge 548 a disposed proximate tothe first end 178 a of the housing 171 and a sealing ridge 548 bdisposed proximate to the second end 178 b of the housing 171. Thesealing ridges 548 a,b can extend radially inward from the gasket 140relative to the axis 101. The gasket 140 can also define a center ridge540 disposed between the sealing ridges 548 a,b. The center ridge 540can extend radially inward from the gasket 140, and the center ridge 540can define a pair of ribs 550 a,b at a radially innermost end of thecenter ridge 540. The gasket 140 can define a sealing channel 552 adisposed between the sealing ridge 548 a and the rib 550 a and a sealingchannel 552 b disposed between the sealing ridge 548 b and the rib 550b.

The pipe 500 can define an inner pipe surface 506 and an outer pipesurface 504 disposed opposite from the inner pipe surface 506. The innerpipe surface 506 can define a pipe bore 510 extending through the pipe500, and the pipe bore 510 can carry pressurized fluids through thepiping system. A circumferential groove 508 can be defined extendingradially inward into the outer pipe surface 504 relative to the axis101. The groove 508 can be disposed proximate to the end 502 of the pipe500. The second ridge 578 b can be configured to engage the groove 508when the end 502 of the pipe 500 is inserted into the coupling bore 182and the coupling 170 is in the tensioned position. When engaged with thegroove 508, the second ridge 578 b secures the coupling 170 to the pipe500 and prevents axial movement of the pipe 500 relative to the coupling170.

The raised-lip end piece 2002 can define an outer end 516 a disposedexternal to the coupling bore 182 and the inner end 516 b disposedwithin the coupling bore 182. The raised-lip end piece 2002 can definethe secondary key 1818, which can extend radially outward from theraised-lip end piece 2002 proximate to the outer end 516 a. In thepresent aspect, the secondary key 1818 can radially overlap with thefirst ridge 578 a of the housing 171 when the coupling is in the relaxedposition. The secondary key 1818 can provide a physical stop, which canthereby prevent the outer end 516 a of the raised-lip end piece 2002from entering the coupling bore 182.

The raised-lip end piece 2002 can define the raised lip 518 disposed atthe inner end 516 b, and the raised lip 518 can extend radially outwardfrom the inner end 516 b relative to the axis 101. In the presentaspect, the raised lip 518 can be disposed radially inward from thesecondary key 1818, therefore allowing the inner end 516 b and theraised lip 518 to be inserted into the coupling bore 182 with thecoupling 170 in the relaxed position. In other aspects, the raised lip518 can extend radially outwards beyond the first ridge 578 a with thecoupling 170 in the relaxed position, thereby preventing insertion andremoval of the inner end 516 b from the coupling bore 182. In suchaspects, the first segment 172 a and the second segment 172 b of thehousing 171 can be assembled around the inner end 516 b of theraised-lip end piece 2002 to capture the inner end 516 b within thecoupling bore 182. In such aspects, the inner end 516 b of theraised-lip end piece 2002 may not be removed from the coupling bore 182without disassembling the housing 171.

The raised lip 518 can be sized to radially interfere with the sealingridge 548 a of the gasket 140 when the gasket 140 is in the relaxed anduncompressed state. For example, a radially outermost portion of theraised lip 518 can be disposed radially outward from a radiallyinnermost portion of the sealing ridge 548 a when the raised lip 518 isaxially positioned between the sealing ridges 548 a,b relative to theaxis 101. The gasket 140 can comprise an elastic material, such as arubber, a polymer, an elastomer, or any other suitable material, and thegasket 140 can be flexible and resilient.

Interference between the raised lip 518 and the sealing ridge 548 a canprevent accidental removal of the inner end 516 b of the raised-lip endpiece 2002 from the coupling bore 182 when the coupling 170 is in therelaxed position. The sealing ridge 548 a can stretch over the raisedlip 518 when the inner end 516 b is inserted into or withdrawn from thecoupling bore 182. In the present aspect, the sealing ridge 548 a can bein a relaxed state when the coupling 170 is in the relaxed position, andthe sealing ridge 548 a is axially positioned between the raised lip 518and the secondary key 1818 of the raised-lip end piece 2002 relative tothe axis 101.

In the present aspect, the inner end 516 b of the raised-lip end piece2002 can be withdrawn from the coupling bore 182 of the coupling 170with a deliberate force when the coupling 170 is in the relaxedposition. By exerting the deliberate force, the sealing ridge 548 a canstretch over the raised lip 518 to allow the raised-lip end piece 2002to be removed from the coupling 170. The resistance provided by thesealing ridge 548 a can be optimized to prevent accidental disassemblyof the pre-assembled coupling assembly 100 while still allowing fordeliberate disassembly of the pre-assembled coupling assembly 100without undue difficulty. For example, with the coupling 170 in therelaxed position, the pre-assembled coupling assembly 100 can bedisassembled with the fingers of a user possessing typical hand strengthwithout the need for tools while also resisting separation of thecoupling 170 from the raised-lip end piece 2002 by the force of gravityand general handling of the pre-assembled coupling assembly 100. Forexample, the coupling 170 and the raised-lip end piece 2002 can resistseparation if a user carries the pre-assembled coupling assembly 100without supporting both the coupling 170 and the flexible hose adapter2012.

In the present aspect, the raised-lip end piece 2002 can define a groove514 extending radially inward into the raised-lip end piece 2002 betweenthe secondary key 1818 and the raised lip 518. The groove 514 can beconfigured to receive the first ridge 578 a of the housing 171 when thecoupling 170 is in the tensioned position. Engagement between the firstridge 578 a and the groove 514 can secure the raised-lip end piece 2002to the coupling 170 and prevent the inner end 516 b of the raised-lipend piece 2002 from being withdrawn from the coupling bore 182 when thecoupling 170 is in the tensioned position.

FIG. 9A is a detailed cross-sectional view of the pipe 500, theraised-lip end piece 2002 of the flexible hose adapter 2012, and thecoupling 170 of FIG. 1 with the coupling 170 in the tensioned positionand with the pre-assembled coupling assembly 100 in a pressurizedcondition in which fluid is allowed to flow into the pipe 500 to applyfluid pressure to the flexible hose adapter 2012 and the gasket 140. Inthe tensioned position, the gasket 140 can be compressed radially inwardto form seals with the pipe 500 and the raised-lip end piece 2002. Thesealing ridge 548 a can form a seal with a sealing surface 612 definedby the raised-lip end piece 2002. In the present aspect, the sealingsurface 612 can be defined between the raised lip 518 and the groove514, and the raised lip 518 can extend radially outward from the sealingsurface 612. The sealing ridge 548 b can form a seal with a sealingportion 604 of the outer pipe surface 504 of the pipe 500 definedbetween the groove 508 and the end 502 of the pipe 500. The raised lip518 can also define a ramped surface 619. The ramped surface 619 can beangled, as shown in FIG. 9A, thereby taking the shape of a truncatedcone, or can be curved in other aspects. The angle or curve of theramped surface 619 can be configured to guide the sealing ridge 548 ainto position around the sealing surface 612 as the raised-lip end piece2002 is inserted into the coupling 170, and the ramped surface 619 canalso be configured to prevent removal of the gasket 140 from over theraised lip 518 when the gasket 140 is in the relaxed position.

The secondary key 1818 can also define a ramped surface 613 facingaxially towards the pipe 500. The ramped surface 613 can also define aside of the secondary key 1818 axially outward from the coupling 170.The ramped surface 613 can be angled, as shown in FIG. 9A, therebytaking the shape of a truncated cone, or can be curved in other aspects,and can extend to a bottom of the groove 514. The angle or curve of theramped surface 613 can be configured to guide the first ridge 578 a intoposition in the groove 514 when the coupling 170 is tightened into thetensioned position. The ramped surface 613 can thereby function as alocating feature to allow the user to ensure that the coupling 170 isproperly positioned over the raised-lip end piece 2002 and, when thepipe 500 is inserted into the coupling 170 to abut the raised-lip endpiece 2002, as shown in FIG. 9B, the coupling 170 is likewise properlypositioned over the pipe 500 such that the second ridge 578 b is alignedover the groove 508. Thus, when the coupling 170 is tightened into thetensioned position, the second ridge 578 b can be properly guided intothe groove 508. In various aspects, the groove 514 can be narrower inthe axial direction than the groove 508 so that the ridge 578 b can bespaced slightly in the axial direction from sides of the groove 508.This can ensure that the ridge 578 b properly seats into the groove 508without inadvertently contacting sides of the groove 508 when thecoupling 170 is tightened.

Further, the grooves 508,514 of the pipe 500 and the raised-lip endpiece 2002, respectively, can each define side stop surfaces 609,615,respectively. The side stop surfaces 609,615 act as stops to prevent thepipe 500 and the raised-lip end piece 2002, respectively, from beingremoved from the coupling 170 when the coupling 170 is in the tensionedposition by engaging the ridges 578 a,b when either or both of the pipe500 and the raised-lip end piece 2002 are pushed or pulled axiallyoutward from the coupling 170, such as when the pre-assembled couplingassembly 100 is in the pressurized condition.

FIG. 9A also shows that portions of the first segment 172 a and,similarly, the second segment 172 b (shown in FIG. 1) can contact theouter surface 504 of the pipe 500 and the raised-lip end piece 2002adjacent to the grooves 508,514, respectively, when the coupling 170 isin the tensioned position. However, in other aspects, the segments 172a,b may contact only one or both of the grooves 508,514, or contact thegroove 508 and an outer surface of the raised-lip end piece 2002adjacent to the groove 514, or contact the groove 514 and the outersurface 504 of the pipe 500 adjacent to the groove 508.

In the tensioned position, the center ridge 540 can be compressedradially inward, and the rib 550 a can contact the raised lip 518. Insome aspects, the rib 550 a can form a secondary seal with the raisedlip 518. In the present aspect, the pressure relief channel 520 canmaintain fluid communication between the sealing channel 552 a and thepipe bore 510. By maintaining fluid communication between the sealingchannel 552 a and the pipe bore 510, pressurized fluids carried by thepipe 500 can exert pressure within the sealing channel 552 a which canenergize the seal formed between the sealing ridge 548 a and the sealingsurface 612 of the raised-lip end piece 2002. The sealing channel 552 acan define a U-shape of the sealing ridge 548 a, and pressure exertedwithin the sealing channel 552 a can press an axially inner end 648 a ofthe sealing ridge 548 a against the sealing surface 612. The sealingridge 548 b can function similarly, and pressurized fluids within thesealing channel 552 b can press an axially inner end 648 b of thesealing ridge 548 b against the sealing portion 604 of the outer pipesurface 504 of the pipe 500 to energize the seal between the sealingridge 548 b and the pipe 500.

FIG. 9B is a detailed cross-sectional view of the pipe 500 and thecoupling 170 of FIG. 1 and the raised-lip end piece 2002, with thecoupling 170 in the relaxed position with the pipe 500 inserted into thecoupling 170 and abutting the raised-lip end piece 2002. Thecross-section of FIG. 9B is taken from a sectional line extendingthrough mid-sections of the first segment 172 a and the second segment172 b (shown in FIG. 1). When the pipe 500 is inserted into thepre-assembled coupling assembly 100 with the raised-lip end piece 2002,the end 502 of the pipe 500 abuts the inner end 516 b of the raised-lipend piece 2002. With the ramped surface 619 preventing withdrawal fromthe gasket 140 and thereby the coupling 170, and with the ramped surface613 preventing further insertion of the raised-lip end piece 2002 intothe coupling 170, the pipe 500 can thereby be held in position to locatethe second ridge 578 b over the groove 508. In the current aspect, thesealing ridge 548 a can also be in contact with the sealing surface 612when the coupling 170 is in the relaxed position, further holding thecoupling 170 on the raised-lip end piece 2002.

As shown in FIG. 9B, in some aspects, the bottom of the groove 514 candefine a smaller diameter than a bottom of the groove 508. This canprovide the benefit of the second ridge 578 b rigidly contacting thepipe 500 before the second ridge 578 a contacts the raised-lip end piece2002, ensuring that the coupling 170 is rigidly attached to the pipe500. The sealing surface 612 of the raised-lip end piece 2002 can alsodefine a larger diameter than the sealing portion 604 of the pipe 500,which can better hold the gasket 140, and thereby the coupling 170, onthe raised-lip end piece 2002. The diameter of the sealing surface 612can be sized such that the gasket 140 contacts the sealing surface 612in the relaxed position, or can be sized such that the gasket 140 doesnot contact the sealing surface 612 in the relaxed position but iscloser to the gasket 140 than the sealing portion 604.

FIG. 10 is a detail cross-sectional view of a one of the pressure reliefchannels 520 of FIG. 5 taken along line 10-10 shown in FIG. 5. Thepressure relief channel 520 can comprise an angled surface 1020 and anaxial surface 1018. The angled surface 1020 can be angled relative tothe inner end 516 b of the raised-lip end piece 2002 and relative to thesealing surface 612. In the present aspect, the angled surface 1020 candefine a 30-degree angle with the inner end 516 b of the raised-lip endpiece 2002; however in other aspects, the angle can be larger or smallerthan 30 degrees. The axial surface 1018 can be substantially parallel tothe axis 101 (shown in FIG. 7) and the sealing surface 612. The axialsurface 1018 can be defined radially outward from the sealing surface612 of the raised-lip end piece 2002 and radially inward from the raisedlip 518.

The raised lip 518 can define a rounded transition surface 1016 definedat the inner end 516 b of the raised-lip end piece 2002. The raised lip518 can define the ramped surface 619 extending to the sealing surface612. In the present aspect, the ramped surface 619 can define a45-degree angle with the sealing surface 612; however, in other aspects,the angle can be greater or smaller than 45 degrees.

FIG. 11 is a detail cross-sectional view of another aspect of thepressure relief channels 520 of FIG. 5 taken along line 10-10 shown inFIG. 5. Rather than defining the angled surface 1020 as shown in FIG.10, the pressure relief channel 520 can define a radial surface 1120which can be substantially perpendicular to the axis 101 (shown in FIG.7) and the axial surface 1018. In the present aspect, the radial surface1120 can be substantially parallel to the inner end 516 b. In thepresent aspect, the radial surface 1120 can extend completely across theinner end 516 b of the raised-lip end piece 2002.

FIG. 12 shows another aspect of an end piece 1202 of the flexible hoseadapter 2012. In the present aspect, the end piece 1202 may not definethe raised lip 518 (shown in FIG. 10), and the inner end 516 b can be aplain end similar to the end 502 of the pipe 500. The end piece 1202 candefine a secondary key 1378 extending radially outward from the endpiece 1202. The secondary key 1378 can be disposed adjacent to thegroove 514, and the groove 514 can be disposed between the secondary key1378 and the inner end 516 b.

The coupling 170 can comprise a grooved housing 1371 comprising anotheraspect of the first segment 172 a and the second segment 172 b. Thegrooved housing 1371 can define a secondary shoulder 1370 attached tothe first ridge 578 a. A secondary groove 1372 can be defined betweenthe secondary shoulder 1370 and the first ridge 578 a. The secondary key1378 can be received within the secondary groove 1372 to retain thecoupling 170 on the end piece 1202.

During assembly, the coupling 170 in the relaxed position can be slippedover the end 502 of the pipe 500, and the end 502 can be positioned infacing engagement with the inner end 516 b of the end piece 1202. Withthe end 502 in facing engagement with the inner end 516 b, the secondarykey 1378 can be positioned adjacent to the first ridge 578 a. Once thecoupling 170 is in the tensioned position and the pipe 500 ispressurized, the end piece 1202 can pull away from the end 502 of thepipe 500 due to end cap forces from pressurized fluids transmitted bythe pipe 500. Contact between the secondary key 1378 and the secondaryshoulder 1370 can limit axial movement of the end piece 1202 relative tothe coupling 170 and the pipe 500. In other aspects, the end piece 1202can define both the secondary key 1378 and the raised lip 518.

FIG. 13 shows a cross-sectional side view of another aspect of thepre-assembled coupling assembly 100. In this aspect, the flexible hoseadapter 2012 can comprise a recessed end piece 3012 which can define arecessed raised-lip end 3002 and an outer lip end 3004. The outer lipend 3004 can define the outer lip 512, and the outer lip end 3004 can bedisposed axially outward from the coupling 170 with respect to the axis101. The recessed end piece 3012 can define a shoulder 3060 disposedbetween the sealing surface 612 and the raised lip 518. The shoulder3060 can extend radially inward from the sealing surface 612 withrespect to the axis 101. The recessed end piece 3012 can further definea groove 3014 axially disposed between the raised lip 518 and theshoulder 3060 with respect to the axis 101. The groove 3014 can extendradially inward from the raised lip 518 with respect to the axis 101.

In the present aspect, the raised lip 518 can be a recessed raised lip3018 disposed radially inward from the sealing surface 612 with respectto the axis 101. The pressure relief channels 520 can be recessedpressure relief channels 3020 which can radially extend through therecessed raised lip 3018 and can axially extend between the recessedraised-lip end 3002 and the shoulder 3060 with respect to the axis 101.

In the present aspect, the gasket 140 can be a rimmed gasket 3040. Therimmed gasket 3040 can define an inner rim 3050 which can extendradially inward from the center ridge 540 of the rimmed gasket 3040. Theinner rim 3050 can define a radially inner end 3052. With the recessedraised-lip end 3002 disposed within the coupling bore 182, the inner rim3050 can be positioned adjacent to the shoulder 3060. The radially innerend 3052 of the inner rim 3050 can be received within the groove 3014 ofthe recessed end piece 3012, and the recessed raised lip 3018 canradially overlap with the radially inner end 3052 of the inner rim 3050with respect to the axis 101. Radial overlap of the recessed raised lip3018 and the radially inner end 3052 can retain the coupling 170 on therecessed end piece 3012 when the coupling 170 is in the relaxedposition.

The end 502 of the pipe 500 can also be inserted into the coupling bore182 with the coupling 170 in the relaxed position. With the end 502 ofthe pipe 500 disposed within the coupling bore 182, the inner rim 3050can extend axially inwards from the rimmed gasket 3040 between the end502 of the pipe 500 and the shoulder 3060, thereby preventing contactbetween the end 502 of the pipe 500 and the shoulder 3060. The recessedraised-lip end 3002 can be inserted into the end 502 of the pipe 500.The groove 3014 can define a tapered pipe alignment surface which canfacilitate insertion of the recessed raised-lip end 3002 of the recessedend piece 3012 into the end 502 of the pipe 500.

FIG. 14 shows a cross-sectional side view of another aspect of thepre-assembled coupling assembly 100. The coupling 170 of the presentaspect of the pre-assembled coupling assembly 100 can comprise a C-stylegasket 3140 which may not define the center ridge 540 (shown in FIG. 8)of the gasket 140 (shown in FIG. 8). The C-style gasket 3140 can definea pair of sealing ridges 3148 a,b. In the present aspect, the sealingridges 3148 a,b can extend axially and radially inward relative to theaxis 101, as demonstrated by sealing ridge 3148 b, when the C-stylegasket 3140 is in a relaxed and uncompressed state. Once the end 502 ofthe pipe 500 (shown in FIG. 8) is inserted into the coupling 170, thesealing ridge 3148 b can stretch over the end 502 of the pipe 500 androtate radially outward with respect to the axis 101.

FIG. 15 shows a cross-sectional side view of another aspect of thepre-assembled coupling assembly 100 wherein the flexible hose adapter2012 can comprise a grooved end piece 3212. The grooved end piece 3212can define an inner end 3202 and an outer end 3204, and the inner end3202 can be disposed opposite from the outer end 3204 on the grooved endpiece 3212. A circumferential groove 3222 can be defined at the innerend 3202, and the circumferential groove 3222 can extend around acircumference of the grooved end piece 3212. The circumferential groove3222 can be defined extending radially inward from the sealing surface612. In the present aspect, the circumferential groove 3222 can define atriangular cross-sectional shape; however in other aspects, thecircumferential groove 3222 can define a different cross-sectionalshape, such as semi-circular, rectangular, or any other suitable shape.In the present aspect, the raised lip 518 can be a recessed raised lip3218 disposed radially inward from the sealing surface 612 with respectto the axis 101. The inner end 3202 can also define pressure reliefchannels 3220 extending radially through the inner end 3202 andintersecting the circumferential groove 3222 with respect to the axis101. With the end 502 of the pipe 500 inserted into the coupling 170,the end 502 of the pipe 500 can contact the inner end 3202 of thegrooved end piece 3212.

The coupling 170 can comprise a modified rimmed gasket 3240 which candefine an inner rim 3250 which can extend radially inward from thecenter ridge 540 with respect to the axis 101. A radially inner end 3252of the inner rim 3250 can define a cross-sectional shape formedcomplimentary to the cross-sectional shape of the circumferential groove3222. In the present aspect, the radially inner end 3252 can define thetriangular cross-sectional shape for example and without limitation. Theradially inner end 3252 of the inner rim 3250 can engage thecircumferential groove 3222, and engagement between the radially innerend 3252 and the circumferential groove 3222 can retain the coupling 170on the inner end 3202 of the grooved end piece 3212 when the coupling170 is in the relaxed position.

FIG. 16A is a perspective view of another aspect of the flexible hoseadapter 2012 wherein the raised-lip end piece 2002 is a stop lip endpiece 1712 in accordance with another aspect of the present disclosure.FIG. 16B is a side view of the stop lip end piece 1712 of FIG. 16A. Onthe stop lip end piece 1712, the raised lip 518 can be a stop lip 1718.The stop lip 1718 can be spaced axially inward towards the outer end 516a and away from the inner end 516 b relative to the axis 101. Thepressure relief channels 520 can also be defined by circumferential gaps1720 in the stop lip 1718 in the present aspect.

FIG. 16C is a cross-sectional view of the stop lip end piece 1712 takenalong line 16C-16C shown in FIG. 16A. Unlike the raised lip 518 of theaspects of the flexible hose adapter 2012 of FIGS. 1-11, in this aspect,the raised lip 518, stop lip 1718, does not extend to the inner end 516b. Instead, a step surface 1716 can be defined between the stop lip 1718and the inner end 516 b. In the present aspect, the step surface 1716can be a cylindrical surface. In the present aspect, the step surface1716 can be radially aligned with the sealing surface 612; however inother aspects, the step surface 1716 can be defined radially inward orradially outward from the sealing surface 612. In the present aspect,the step surface 1716 can be defined radially outward from the groove514 but radially inward from the stop lip 1718 and the outer lip 512. Inthe present aspect, the stop lip 1718 can extend radially outwards evenwith the outer lip 512; however in other aspects, the stop lip 1718 canextend radially outwards beyond the outer lip 512.

The stop lip 1718 can define an outer surface 1719 a facing the outerend 516 a of the stop lip end piece 1712 and an inner surface 1719 bfacing the inner end 516 b of the stop lip end piece 1712. The outersurface 1719 a can define an outer angle A₁ relative to a radialdirection of the axis 101, and the inner surface 1719 b can define aninner angle A₂ relative to the radial direction of the axis 101. In thepresent aspect, each of the angles A₁,A₂ can be less than 45 degrees. Insome aspects, the angles A₁,A₂ can be 0 degrees, and the inner surface1719 a and the outer surface 1719 b can be parallel to the radialdirection of the axis 101.

FIG. 17A is an end view of an aspect of the pre-assembled couplingassembly 100 comprising the flexible hose adapter 2012 of FIGS. 16A-C.FIG. 17B is a cross-sectional side view of the pre-assembled coupling100 of FIG. 17A taken along line 17B-17B shown in FIG. 17A with the pipe500 of FIG. 5. In the present aspect, the stop lip 1718 can bespecifically shaped to prevent insertion and withdrawal of the inner end516 b of the stop lip end piece 1712 into the coupling bore 182 when thecoupling 170 is in the relaxed position. For example, the stop lip 1718can extend radially outward far enough to radially overlap with theridge 578 a. Consequently, if a user attempts to insert the inner end516 b into the coupling bore 182 in the relaxed state or remove theinner end 516 b from the coupling bore 182 in the relaxed state,interference between the stop lip 1718 and the ridge 578 a will preventthe user from succeeding. Instead, the user must disassemble thecoupling 170 by separating the first segment 172 a from the secondsegment 172 b of the housing 171 to insert or remove the inner end 516 bfrom the coupling bore 182. Therefore, to assemble the pre-assembledcoupling 100, the user must first insert the inner end 516 b into thegasket 140 and then assembled the housing 171 around the gasket 140 inthe present aspect. In some aspects, the inner end 516 b cannot bestabbed into the gasket 140 without a tool to aid in expanding thesealing ridge 548 a over the stop lip 1718, particularly in aspectswherein the inner angle A₂ (shown in FIG. 16C) approaches a very smallvalue, such as less than 10 degrees.

FIG. 18 is a side view of another aspect of the stop lip end piece 1712wherein the raised lip 518 is a continuous stop lip 1918 which does notdefine the circumferential gaps 1720 (shown in FIG. 16A).

To pre-assemble the pre-assembled coupling assembly 100, the inner end516 b of the end piece 1202,1712,2002,3012,3212 can be inserted into arelaxed gasket 140, without the housing 171 assembled around the gasket140, so that the inner end 516 b can be axially positioned between thesealing ridges 548 a,b. In some aspects, the sealing ridge 548 a cancontact the sealing surface 612 of the end piece1202,1712,2002,3012,3212. As discussed above, in some aspects of thestop lip end piece 1712, a tool or tools may be required to stretch thesealing ridge 548 a over the stop lip 1718.

In aspects of the end piece 2002 such as that of FIG. 8 and FIG. 14, thegasket 140,3140 can be retained on the inner end 516 b of the end piece2002 due to interference between the sealing ridge 548 a,3148 a and theraised lip 518. In such aspects the sealing ridge 548 a,3148 a can bestretched over the raised lip 518 when inserting the inner end 516 bthrough the sealing ridge 548 b,3148 a and elastic resistance of thesealing ridge 548 a,3148 a can resist withdrawal of the inner end 516 boutward through the sealing ridge 548 a,3148 a, thereby retaining therelaxed gasket 140,3140 on the end piece 2002. In aspects of the endpiece 3012,3212 such as those of FIGS. 13 and 15, the inner rim3050,3250 of the gasket 140 can stretch over the raised lip518,3018,3218 upon insertion of the inner end 516 b into the relaxedgasket 140,3040,3240, and the inner rim 3050,3250 can seat in the groove3014,3222. Elastic resistance of the inner rim 3050,3250 can resistwithdrawal of the inner end 516 b of the end piece 3012,3212 backthrough the inner rim 3050,3250, thereby retaining the relaxed gasket140 on the inner end 516 b of the end piece 3012,3212. In these aspectsof the end piece 2002,3012,3212, the housing 171 of the coupling 170 canthen be assembled around the gasket 140,3040,3140,3240 by positioningthe gasket 140,3040,3140,3240 within the gasket groove 570 of thesegments 172 a,b and fastening the segments 172 a,b together with thefasteners 176 a,b. The gasket 140,3040,3140,3240 can then retain thecoupling 170 on the inner end 516 b of the end piece 2002,3012,3212.

Alternatively, for the aspect of the end piece 1202 shown in FIG. 12,the coupling 170 may not be retained on the inner end 516 b of the endpiece 1202 by elastic resistance of the gasket 140. Instead the relaxedgasket 140 can be freely slipped over the inner end 516 b with no orminimal resistance, and the grooved housing 1371 can be assembled aroundthe gasket 140 and the secondary key 1378. The segments 172 a,b can bealigned so that the gasket 140 fits within the gasket groove 570, andthe secondary key 1378 fits within the secondary groove 1372, therebyretaining the coupling 170 on the end piece 1202 through interferencebetween the secondary groove 1372 and the secondary key 1378.

Once the coupling 170 is secured on the inner end 516 b of the end piece1202,1712,2002,3012,3212, the pipe 500 or another pipe fitting 110 canbe stabbed into the assembled coupling 170 opposite from the end piece1202,1712,2002,3012,3212 when the coupling 170 is in the relaxedposition. The coupling 170 can then be tightened to the tensionedposition by tightening the fasteners 176 a,b, thereby securing andsealing the end piece 1202,1712,2002,3012,3212 to the pipe 500 or pipefitting 110.

In other aspects, the assembled coupling 170 in the relaxed position canbe slipped over the end piece 2002,3012,3212 to secure the coupling 170on the inner end 516 b of the end piece 2002,3012,3212. By contrast, thestop lip end piece 1712 can be specifically configured to prevent theassembled coupling 170 from being slipped over the stop lip 1718.

One should note that conditional language, such as, among others, “can,”“could,” “might,” or “may,” unless specifically stated otherwise, orotherwise understood within the context as used, is generally intendedto convey that certain embodiments include, while other embodiments donot include, certain features, elements and/or steps. Thus, suchconditional language is not generally intended to imply that features,elements and/or steps are in any way required for one or more particularembodiments or that one or more particular embodiments necessarilyinclude logic for deciding, with or without user input or prompting,whether these features, elements and/or steps are included or are to beperformed in any particular embodiment.

It should be emphasized that the above-described embodiments are merelypossible examples of implementations, merely set forth for a clearunderstanding of the principles of the present disclosure. Any processdescriptions or blocks in flow diagrams should be understood asrepresenting modules, segments, or portions of code which include one ormore executable instructions for implementing specific logical functionsor steps in the process, and alternate implementations are included inwhich functions may not be included or executed at all, may be executedout of order from that shown or discussed, including substantiallyconcurrently or in reverse order, depending on the functionalityinvolved, as would be understood by those reasonably skilled in the artof the present disclosure. Many variations and modifications may be madeto the above-described embodiment(s) without departing substantiallyfrom the spirit and principles of the present disclosure. Further, thescope of the present disclosure is intended to cover any and allcombinations and sub-combinations of all elements, features, and aspectsdiscussed above. All such modifications and variations are intended tobe included herein within the scope of the present disclosure, and allpossible claims to individual aspects or combinations of elements orsteps are intended to be supported by the present disclosure.

That which is claimed is:
 1. A flexible hose adapter configured forengagement with a coupling, the flexible hose adapter comprising: an endpiece, the end piece defining an inner end and an outer end, the endpiece defining an axis, the end piece defining a sealing surface and araised lip, the raised lip defined between the inner end and the sealingsurface; a flexible hose attached to the outer end of the end piece; anda socket end piece attached to the flexible hose opposite from the endpiece.
 2. The flexible hose adapter of claim 1, wherein the end piecedefines a groove between the sealing surface and the outer end.
 3. Theflexible hose adapter of claim 1, wherein the raised lip extendsradially outward from the sealing surface.
 4. The flexible hose adapterof claim 1, wherein the end piece defines a secondary key, and whereinthe sealing surface is disposed between the raised lip and the secondarykey.
 5. The flexible hose adapter of claim 1, wherein the raised lip isdisposed radially inward of the sealing surface.
 6. The flexible hoseadapter of claim 5, wherein a shoulder extends radially inward from thesealing surface, and wherein the shoulder is defined between the raisedlip and the sealing surface.
 7. The flexible hose adapter of claim 5,wherein a circumferential groove is defined between the raised lip andthe sealing surface.
 8. A pre-assembled coupling assembly comprising: acoupling, the coupling defining a coupling bore extending through thecoupling, the coupling comprising a gasket disposed within the couplingbore, the gasket being relaxed and uncompressed when the coupling is ina relaxed position; and a flexible hose adapter comprising: an end piecedefining an inner end and an outer end, the inner end inserted into thecoupling bore, the coupling retained on the inner end of the end piecewhen the coupling is in the relaxed position; a flexible hose attachedto the outer end; and a socket end piece attached to the flexible hoseopposite from the end piece.
 9. The pre-assembled coupling assembly ofclaim 8, wherein: the end piece defines a raised lip and a sealingsurface; and the raised lip is positioned between the inner end and thesealing surface.
 10. The pre-assembled coupling assembly of claim 9,wherein: the end piece defines a groove between the raised lip and thesealing surface; and an inner rim of the gasket engages the groove. 11.The pre-assembled coupling assembly of claim 9, wherein: the couplingbore defines an axis; and the raised lip extends radially outward fromthe sealing surface.
 12. The pre-assembled coupling assembly of claim11, wherein: the gasket defines a sealing ridge configured to seal withthe sealing surface; and the raised lip interferes with the sealingridge when the coupling is in the relaxed position and retains thecoupling on the inner end of the end piece.
 13. The pre-assembledcoupling assembly of claim 8, wherein: the end piece defines a secondarykey; the coupling defines a secondary shoulder and a secondary groove;the secondary groove receives the secondary key; and interferencebetween the secondary key and the secondary shoulder retains thecoupling on the inner end of the end piece when the coupling is in therelaxed position.
 14. The pre-assembled coupling assembly of claim 8,wherein: the coupling bore defines an axis; the end piece defines araised lip at the inner end; the end piece defines a secondary keypositioned axially outward of the coupling bore; and the secondary keyextends radially outward beyond the raised lip.
 15. A method for using apre-assembled coupling assembly, the method comprising: providing aflexible hose adapter, the flexible hose adapter comprising an endpiece, the end piece defining an inner end and an outer end, the endpiece defining an axis; axially inserting the inner end of the end pieceinto a gasket, a portion of the end piece within the gasket positionedradially outward from a portion of the gasket; and assembling a housingaround the gasket, the housing and the gasket comprising a coupling, thecoupling retained on the inner end of the end piece when the coupling isin a relaxed position.
 16. The method of claim 15, further comprisingpositioning a sealing ridge of the gasket axially between the inner endand the outer end.
 17. The method of claim 15, further comprisingstretching a sealing ridge of the gasket over a raised lip of the endpiece, the raised lip defined at the inner end.
 18. The method of claim15, wherein assembling a housing around the gasket comprises fasteningat least one segment around the gasket, the at least one segmentdefining a gasket groove, the gasket seated within the gasket groove.19. The method of claim 15, further comprising inserting an end of apipe into the coupling.
 20. The method of claim 15, further comprisingengaging an inner rim of the gasket with a groove of the end piece.